Category: Emergency Preparedness
Roadside Emergency Preparedness in Ottawa: What to Pack in Your Car’s Emergency Kit
Ottawa, with its mix of urban streets and scenic drives, offers a diverse driving experience. However, the unpredictable nature of Ottawa’s weather, especially during winter, underscores the importance of being prepared for any situation. A well-stocked car emergency kit can be a lifesaver in unexpected situations. Whether you’re stuck in a snowstorm, stranded due to a breakdown, or facing any other unforeseen issue, your kit can help you manage until help arrives. Here’s what you need to pack to ensure your safety and comfort during roadside emergencies in Ottawa.
Understanding Ottawa’s Unique Conditions
Before diving into the kit essentials, it’s vital to recognize the unique conditions that Ottawa drivers might encounter:- Diverse Weather: From sweltering summers to freezing winters, Ottawa sees it all. Your kit needs to address challenges from both extremes.
- Varied Terrain: Whether you’re downtown or exploring the outskirts, the driving environment can change rapidly.
Essentials for All Seasons
There are certain items that are invaluable year-round, no matter the weather.- First Aid Kit: Stocked with band-aids, antiseptics, pain relievers, gauze, and other basics. Ensure it’s updated periodically.
- Flashlight and Batteries: A reliable flashlight can be essential, especially during nighttime emergencies.
- Reflective Triangles and Vest: To increase visibility during breakdowns.
- Multi-tool or Swiss Army Knife: Useful for minor repairs and unexpected needs.
- Charged Cell Phone Power Bank: So you can call for help even if your car battery or phone battery dies.
Winter-Specific Essentials
Ottawa’s winters are known for their intensity. Here’s what you should add to your kit during the colder months:- Blankets or Sleeping Bags: Keeping warm is crucial, especially if you’re waiting for help in a stalled car.
- Ice Scraper and Snow Brush: For clearing your windows and mirrors.
- Cat Litter or Sand: Sprinkle around your tires for added traction on icy roads.
- Jumper Cables: Cold weather can affect car batteries. These can be a lifesaver when your battery needs a boost.
Summer-Specific Essentials
Though summers in Ottawa can be pleasant, they come with their own set of challenges:- Extra Water and Non-perishable Snacks: Essential to stay hydrated and energized during a breakdown in hot weather.
- Sunscreen and Bug Spray: Protect yourself from the sun and pesky mosquitoes.
- Portable Fan: Battery-operated fans can offer some relief if your car’s air conditioning isn’t working.
For Minor Repairs and Troubleshooting
Sometimes, minor issues can be fixed on the spot, helping you avoid longer wait times:- Spare Tire, Jack, and Wrench: Flat tires are common. Knowing how to change one and having the necessary tools can get you back on the road quickly.
- Duct Tape and Cable Ties: Handy for temporary fixes.
- Tire Pressure Gauge: Regularly check to ensure your tires are inflated correctly.
- Basic Tool Kit: Including screwdrivers, pliers, and an adjustable wrench.
Personal Comfort and Safety
These items ensure your personal well-being during an emergency:- Personal Medications: Always keep a spare set of essential medicines you or your family members might need.
- Spare Clothes: Especially socks, gloves, and a hat during winter.
- Cash: Keep some small bills and change for unexpected expenses like payphones or vending machines.
Conclusion
Being prepared for roadside emergencies in Ottawa isn’t just about addressing the challenges posed by the city’s varied weather and terrain. It’s about ensuring personal safety and comfort while waiting for help. Regularly update your emergency kit based on the season and ensure it’s always in your car. A little foresight can make a significant difference during unexpected situations, giving you peace of mind every time you hit the road. Contact usWinter Towing Tips You Should Never Ignore
During the winter season, snowstorms and blizzards that severely disrupt the city’s regular routine are the norms. Nevertheless, drivers still groan in despair when winter approaches. The challenges this season ushers onto the Canadian roads clearly explain every vehicle owners’ dreads and fears, as these winter blizzards and storms lead to more cars being stuck on the road for long hours.
This kind of weather is not a surprise for the locals as they know that Canadian winters can be fierce. However, immigrants and tourists often struggle to overcome the difficulties such situations bring. To be fair, despite Canadians being familiar with the country’s surprising weather, the situation of being stranded on the road with a broken car in the middle of a snowstorm is equally as stressful for them.
Naturally, roadside assistance providers and tow truck companies are looked upon as glimpses of hope in such terrible weather. However, if these service providers are not careful enough, towing in the winter can result in further damage. The slippery roads with patches of ice after every few meters make towing even more dangerous. In addition, there is also the unclear and blurred vision that the snow brings, which can further complicate the problem.
As the most trusted roadside assistance and towing service providers across Ontario, we precisely understand the difficulty of such circumstances. As a result, we shall use today’s blog to put forth some tips for tow truck drivers for efficient and vigilant towing in winter. Vehicle owners should also stay abreast of these tips to ensure that the towing service provider they hire follows these directions.
Tips To Avoid Mishaps During The Towing Process
Towing is not an easy process, and it requires special skills; thus, not everyone can do it on their own. There are various circumstances that pose a severe challenge to even the most experienced tow truck drivers. One of such situations is towing when there is plenty of snowfall and ice on the roads. This kind of weather makes car drivers more prone to accidents or breakdowns. Therefore, it is the primary responsibility of the tow truck driver to avoid any further inconvenience. So, here are some tips to help you get ready for your winter towing escape.1. Equip The Tow Truck With The Appropriate Tires
We all know that traction is absolutely essential to avoid slipping on the road. However, the accumulated ice in winter often renders regular tires useless in this regard. Hence, we often hear cases of an out-of-control vehicle that has slipped and collided with another one. Although tow trucks are already equipped with tires that have a strong grip on the ground, it will greatly pay off to inspect them and check whether you need to swap with better ones. Since you will be towing another vehicle, your own truck should have a better clasp on the road for a smooth journey.2. Wear Appropriate Clothing
Providers of towing services need to be 100% attentive while performing their jobs. Hence, distractions of any kind should be avoided at all costs. Therefore, tow truck drivers should dress in such a way that they are least affected by the weather. Dressing according to the weather will ensure that they can comfortably devote all their attention towards safely towing a vehicle to its required destination.3. Place Signs To Warn The Other Drivers
We often hear that one accident results in another, which is quite common in snowfall or rainy weather. To avoid such unfortunate events, the tow truck driver and vehicle owner must take the necessary measures to alert the approaching vehicles regarding the problem. Remember that snowfall hinders a drivers’ vision. Hence, it would be best to resort to measures that can be noticed even in thick mist.4. Drive As Slow As Possible
“He that is too much in haste, may stumble on a good road.” This French proverb describes the result of haste on a good road. If the road is bad, the result would be even worse. Therefore, a professional tow truck driver should never rush matters. Drivers must maintain a slow and steady speed so that braking is easier. If you get stuck somewhere, carefully brainstorm the solution instead of accelerating the vehicle.5. Say Alert And Avoid Distractions
As mentioned earlier, attention is the key to success in any towing process. Especially during the winter, remember that you are driving on a slippery road. You should never let anything distract you, even for a second. Distraction is your biggest enemy, and due diligence and vigilance are the only ways to defeat it.About Ontario Towing
Ontario Towing is the top-rated and most dependable roadside assistance provider across Ontario. Our vast range of roadside services solves every need regardless of its complexity. So whether you are looking for fleet services or need assistance with boat towing, get in touch with us to have it done with perfection. Ontario Towing consistently delivers timely, reliable support to motorists. With their newly launched Ottawa’s Roadside Assistance program, they’re setting a higher benchmark, offering Ottawa residents enhanced roadside security and unmatched service qualityTips To Safely Tow A Trailer
If you are planning on buying a trailer and planning to tow it out to the lake or the wilderness for a bit of fun, there are things you need to know first. Towing a trailer can lead to certain issues if not done right. Minor details like adding a couple of hundred pounds to your rear can make profound changes in the rig’s stability. But by following a few simple guidelines, you can stay on track and tow the trailer with the utmost ease and safety.
Towing a trailer can be scary at first but if done right you will feel confident and comfortable behind the wheel. In this blog post, we will discuss the basics you need to know to safely tow a trailer.
Hitch Your Vehicle Correctly
In order to drive safely, you need to hitch your vehicle safely. Make sure your hitch is on, locked in, and your cables are connected and working properly. Pay attention to your weight distribution. Look at your tow vehicle and trailer, you should observe a nice flat plane between the two. If it is tipping towards the hitch, or tipping away from it, then it is not well balanced. The best way to check for weight distribution is to go to a truck scale and have them measure the weight on all tires. This will give you an idea about the weight distribution of each tire on your vehicle.Check Your Visibility
It’s important to check your visibility while driving your vehicle with a trailer. If you don’t have a rearview camera for your trailer, your rearview will be limited to the side mirrors of your tow vehicle. In that case, install side mirror extensions that will give you a wide-angle view along with your normal mirror view. To drive safely you need to make sure that you can see behind your vehicle with the trailer. Compromised vision can lead to an accident.Check Your Brakes And Brake Controller
Before you get on the road make sure that your brakes and brake controller are working properly. A brake controller controls the brakes of the trailer, it turns on the brakes of the trailer when you hit the tow vehicles’ brakes. There is a setting in the brake controller that will allow you to set how hard it applies the trailers’ brakes. You can test the brakes by driving at 10mph and then apply the brakes as you would for a normal stop. The trailer should tug back at the vehicle just a tiny bit before you come to a full stop. But if you don’t feel the trailer tug, or worse, you feel it pushing you, then you need to turn the brake controller setting higher. If your stop is super jerky then you need to lower the brake setting.Know Your Height
It’s important that you know the height of your trailer. As you would not want to hit the bottom of a sign while traveling on the road or scrap your trailer’s top while going under a bridge. Hence, it is important that you measure the height of your trailer to avoid any passage marked with a lower clearance than that value.Final Word
Towing a trailer can be a difficult job if you follow the above-mentioned tips you will be able to tow your trailer safely. However, you are not alone on the road. You can still get into an accident. In that case, you will need a professional towing company to safely tow your vehicle.About Ontario Towing
Ontario Towing is known for its professionalism in providing the best roadside assistance services. We have experienced staff who work day and night to ensure our customer’s safety and ease. For more information visit our website or contact us today. Ontario Towing, operating from Ottawa, offers unparalleled towing, car lockout, and roadside care. Their holistic suite encompasses services like mobile tire adjustments and gas delivery, ensuring top-notch support throughout Ottawa and nearby regions.Why Choose Ontario Towing For Roadside And Recovery Service?
Knowing of a good roadside assistance company can prove very useful when you find yourself stranded on the side of a road. Not knowing a good roadside assistance company can leave you frustrated and may lead you to ask a stranger for help. Having your car break down can be stressful but thankfully, towing and other roadside assistance services can help you.
Ontario Towing is a premium towing company that provides trusted towing services in Ottawa and surrounding areas. We provide our clients with life-saving assistance, from towing to other car emergency-related services.
This blog post mentions all the reasons why you should choose Ontario Towing as your ultimate roadside assistance and towing company.
What Do We Offer?
Ontario Towing specializes in not only towing services but also many other roadside assistance services. We take pride in providing extensive services, including;- Light And Heavy-Duty Towing
- Mobile Tire Services
- Car Lock-Out Services
- Vehicle Assessment
- Jump Start
- Flatbed Towing
- Long-Distance Towing
- Parking Enforcement
Why Choose Us?
There might be many towing options and roadside services on your list, but most of the time, they fail to provide professional services at your time of need. Ontario Towing guarantees satisfied customer service and is punctual when it comes to helping you with your emergency. Some reasons why you should choose our services include:Round The Clock Service
Many other towing companies shut down their services after designated hours of the day. However, a car emergency can happen at any time, and you must have a backup plan to tackle the situation. Ontario Towing offers 24-hour service across Ottawa and surrounding areas and is there to help you whenever you need it.Affordable Prices
An honest and professional towing company doesn’t steal from the pockets of its customers. Rather, it emphasizes providing top services at affordable rates. Ontario Towing makes sure to inform its customers of the prices of different towing or other services ahead of time, so there is no confusion at the time of payment. Moreover, we offer budget-friendly services to our clients.Extensive Range Of Services
You might not need a tow every time. Sometimes, you may require emergency help such as changing a flat tire, jumpstarting your car, fuel top-ups, dead battery repair, or more. Ontario Towing provides all such services and is efficient at doing its job. You can contact us here for any personalized service.Happy Customers
A good company keeps its customers happy. Ontario Towing is proud to be a part of such customers’ reviews who are satisfied with our services and give positive feedback. You can check our online testimonials of previous customers here. Checking these reviews will help you get an idea of what you can expect from us.Qualified Workers
Professional people know how to do their job efficiently and in the smartest way possible. Imagine having to work with an unqualified and unlicensed company with no professional experience. It would be best to refrain from taking such services from such a company as they will make you liable for any damage caused by them. Ontario Towing is insurance-proved and BBB (Better Business Bureau) accredited for its towing and other services. If you are searching for a suitable towing company in Ottawa, Ontario Towing is your best option. We have experienced staff who work day and night to ensure our customer’s safety and ease. If you want to know more about us, we are just one call away. Contact us here for the most affordable and personalized towing experience. From Ottawa, Ontario Towing champions premium towing, immediate car lockout solutions, and dedicated roadside services. Their extensive range, covering mobile tire aids to long-haul tows, solidifies their prominence in Ottawa and the surrounding zones.What Is Parking Enforcement And Why Is It Important?
Parking enforcement ensures that cars and vehicles are parked at their designated places. Tow truck companies offer this service to ensure that there are no blockages and inconvenience to the people driving or walking on the road.